Referring to the news reports published in some national dailies on Sunday, the FBR's official spokesperson has clarified that his remarks during the hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance have been twisted wrongly. He said he never stated that all Inland Revenue officers are compromised or dishonest.
He said he was just explaining the difficulties faced by FBR in monitoring and checking the illegal sale of non duty paid cigarettes. He said that these difficulties arise from the location of the factories and quantum of the tax evasion in the sector and the consequent resources at the command of the persons dealing in illicit business. "The reports have caused a state of unrest and indignation amongst the officers of Inland Revenue Service that included the officers of unblemished integrity and professional skills par excellence," the spokesperson said.
He emphasised that it is the commitment, integrity and hard work of the officers of FBR that has resulted in 80% increase in the revenue collected by FBR in four years and increased the number of returns enforced by FBR from 750,000 to above 1,200,000 in the same period. He said these achievements are in addition to unprecedented increase in detection of cases of tax evasion and resulting recoveries. "FBR is a premier institution of the country and the national media is requested to display due care and diligence in reporting about its officers as such reports have a highly adverse impact on the morale of the workforce," urged the official spokesperson.-PR